Congrats on making the switch to REI full time, there a lot to be said about the freedom and lifestyle real estate can give!

If your lifestyles turn out to totally grate, just end it and find someone else.And about the girlfriend.. 

They each have there own personality and some my fit your lifestyle better then others.I am an investor friendly Realtor in the Tampa Bay area.

I agree that "owning/renting 4-5 homes in tiny cities in the midwest just won't pay your own mortgage" AND keep you in a lifestyle that your W2 income gives you now. 

Another tip would be: when looking for a mentor or program or course etc, see to it that they're not selling a lifestyle, but a skill, and verify that they have or are living what it is you're striving for. 

Many of the bay area people are moving there for a better lifestyle.

All of our friends thought we were crazy, but we've been able to live a much more comfortable lifestyle already!  

Biggest thing is to think about your family first, and to ensure that you can provide them with a stable lifestyle as you transition into real estate investing.

Now I want to work for myself, start my own company, and eventually have the financial freedom and flexibility to support a lifestyle I desire.

It's my time down there that planted the seeds for establishing a lifestyle that would allow me to continue doing similar things.What kind of investing do you do, and what are your favorite areas out of state?